The Invesco Perpetual Monthly Income Plus Fund is the most popular fund choice for investors using the Fair Investment fund supermarket over the last 12 months. The fund managed by fixed income specialists Paul Causer and Paul Read seeks to achieve a high level of income whilst seeking to maximise total return through investing in high yield corporate and government bonds. The fund portfolio has at least 80% invested in bonds with a maximum of 20% invested in equities. Along with income generation capital security is a priority for the fund managers. more

M&G Optimal Income Fund can spice up income portfolios

18 November 2009 / by Rebecca Sargent

The M&G Optimal Income Fund could add spice to the portfolios of those looking for additional income, Andy Parsons, advice team manager at The Share Centre has claimed.

This week's Fund in Focus at The Share Centre, the M&G Optimal Income Fund, "Is one of the most unconstrained bond funds available on the market," Mr Parsons claims, adding:

"M&G has long been respected as having a proven track record for delivering quality income funds and this fund is no exception, currently rated as 'AAA' by S&P and 'AA' by OBSR."

The fund was launched in December 2006 and the fund manager Richard Woolnough has the freedom to invest across the whole fixed interest spectrum. As a result the fund is unconstrained, in that it lets Mr Woolnough invest as much as 100 per cent in Gilt or High Yield debt, although equity exposure is capped to a maximum of 20 per cent and non-sterling currency exposure is also limited to a maximum of 20 per cent.

Commenting, Mr Parsons adds: "Given the increasing demands of investors to seek income, Woolnough uses various instruments available to him to ensure that investors benefit from total return.

"The fund's flexibility means he can make money not just when interest rates are coming down, but also when interest rates go up."

The M&G Optimal Income Fund aims to outperform its sector over the medium to long term and provides a total return to investors based on exposure to optimal income streams in investment markets.

"The fund is suitable for an investor looking to add additional spice to their income portfolio and who wishes to do so through the investment experience and knowledge of a well respected fund manager and fund house," Mr Parsons concludes.

Income Paid Quarterly. Investing in higher yielding assets which will include most types of fixed interest securities, this fund aims to deliver a quarterly income to investors. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Quarterly.The objective of the Sub-Fund is to achieve income together with long-term capital growth predominantly through investments in securities in Asia Pacific ex Japan (including Australia & New Zealand) region. The Sub-Fund may also invest in collective investment schemes. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Quarterly. The objective of the Fund is to achieve increasing distributions on a calendar year basis with long term capital growth. The Fund may also invest in collective investment schemes. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Monthly. Invesco Perpetual Distribution offers a balance between both income and capital growth through investment in UK based equities and fixed interest securities. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Monthly. Popular income fund that aims to achieve a high level of income whilst seeking to maximise total return through investing in high yielding corporate and Government bonds, together with UK equities. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Our selected partner for investing in Neil Woodford's Equity Income fund is Barclays Stockbrokers, via their INVESTMENT ISAfor new ISAs and ISA transfers, or their MARKETMASTER® ACCOUNTfor non-ISA investments. Income Paid Quarterly.The fund’s investment objective is to provide investors with long-term appreciation through investing in stocks primarily listed on the UK stock exchanges. Up to 20% may be invested in international companies. The income objective is 10% higher than the FTSE All Share Index yield with an anticipated annual yield of 4.0%.

Income Paid Quarterly. The objective of the Sub-Fund is to achieve increasing annual distributions together with long-term capital growth from investing predominantly in global securities. The Sub-Fund may also invest in collective investment schemes. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Quarterly. To achieve a high and rising income with some potential for capital growth by investing predominantly in unit trusts, OEICs, Exchange Traded Funds and other collective investment schemes across several management groups. The underlying funds invest in equities, fixed interest stocks, commodities and property, principally in the UK. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Quarterly. The Fund aims to deliver a dividend yield above the market average, by investing mainly in a range of global equities. The Fund aims to grow distributions over the long-term whilst also maximising total return (the combination of income and growth of capital). See latest fund factsheet for details.

The primary investment objective is to maximise total return (income plus capital ) by investing in global debt instruments,denominated in any currency, ranging from AAA Government Bonds through to high yield and emerging market corporate bonds. At least 50% of the fund will be invested in sterling and other currency denominated bonds hedged back to sterling. See latest fund factsheet for details.

Income Paid Twice Yearly.The fund aims to provide a total return to investors based on exposure to optimal income streams in investment markets. The fund invests across a broad range of fixed income assets according to where the fund manager identifies value. See latest fund factsheet for details.

*Current Income Yields are Gross, Variable and Not Guaranteed **Historic Yield reflects distributions declared over the past 12 months as a percentage of the mid-market price of the fund. *** This is the target yield the fund aims to achieve per year, it is not guaranteed and could change according to prevailing market conditions. The target yield is net of basic rate tax.Information correct as at 08/02/2012.

The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below.

Our selected partner for investing in Neil Woodford's Equity Income fund is Barclays Stockbrokers, via their INVESTMENT ISAfor new ISAs and ISA transfers, or their MARKETMASTER® ACCOUNTfor non-ISA investments. Income Paid Quarterly.The fund’s investment objective is to provide investors with long-term appreciation through investing in stocks primarily listed on the UK stock exchanges. Up to 20% may be invested in international companies. The income objective is 10% higher than the FTSE All Share Index yield with an anticipated annual yield of 4.0%.

The Fund’s sole aim is capital growth by investing predominantly in a diversified range of securities issued by companies which are out of favour, in difficulty or whose future prospects are not fully recognised by the market. See latest fund factsheet for details.

This is a specialist unit trust which aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing in gold mining and precious metal-related shares. It tends to be volatile and is particularly suitable for diversification in a larger portfolio. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund’s sole aim is long-term capital growth. The Fund is a global equity fund which invests wholly or mainly in companies operating in basic industries (‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ industries) and also in companies that service these industries. The Fund may also invest in other global equities. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund aims to achieve long-term capital growth. The Fund invests worldwide in large and mid capitalisation equities in emerging economies, including those of companies listed on developed market exchanges whose activities predominantly take place in emerging market countries. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The aim of the fund is to produce long-term capital growth by investing predominantly in the equity markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Up to a third of the fund’s assets may be invested in companies based in other countries that are likely to benefit from the BRIC phenomenon. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund’s objective is to deliver capital growth and inflation-protected income by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of listed infrastructure and infrastructure-related securities. See latest fund factsheet for details.

To achieve long-term capital growth by investing predominantly in unit trusts, OEICs, Exchange Traded Funds and other collective investment schemes across several management groups. The underlying funds invest in international equities, fixed interest stocks, commodities and property, with a core in the UK. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation together with a growing income consistent with a policy of protecting the environment. The Fund’s investment policy is to invest worldwide in companies which demonstrate a positive commitment to the long-term protection of the environment. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund aims to provide a combination of income and long term capital growth by investing conservatively in a diversified portfolio of equities, bonds and other fixed interest securities of high quality and marketability. At all times the Fund’s equity exposure will be limited to a maximum of 60% of the portfolio value. See latest fund factsheet for details.

To aim to provide capital growth by investing in companies worldwide that derive, or are expected to derive, profits from technology. The fund manager's investment style is driven mainly by indentifying key industry themes backed up by bottom up stock analysis. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund aims to achieve long term capital growth primarily through investment in equities issued by companies around the globe involved in the exploration, production or distribution of oil, gas and other energy sources or companies which service the energy industry and in derivatives the underlying assets of which are equities issued by companies around the globe involved in the exploration, production or distribution of oil, gas and other energy sources or companies which service the energy industry. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund aims to invest primarily in the shares of companies throughout the world engaged in the production and marketing of commodities. The fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term.See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation. In order to achieve its investment objective, the Fund will invest in a global and diversified portfolio of investments which provide exposure to the agricultural sector. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation together with a growing income consistent with a policy of protecting the environment. The Fund’s investment policy is to invest worldwide in companies which demonstrate a positive commitment to the long-term protection of the environment. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a total return primarily through investment in real estate investment trusts, equity and debt securities of other types of property companies worldwide. Investment will be in directly held transferable securities. The Fund may also invest in collective investment schemes, derivatives, cash, deposits, warrants and money market instruments. See latest fund factsheet for details.

The Fund aims to achieve long term capital growth primarily through investment in equities issued by companies around the globe involved in gold mining and in derivatives the underlying assets of which are equities issued by companies around the globe involved in gold mining. See latest fund factsheet for details.

To provide long term capital appreciation by investing principally in equity securities of companies in the biotechnology, genomics and medical research industries worldwide. See latest fund factsheet for details.